SALA announces the 2025 shortlisted nominees

With the final adjudication convention and related processes for this year’s South African Literary Awards (SALA) now completed by a 33-strong distinguished panel of judges, the shortlisted names of nominees are now available.

Made possible by the partnership with the City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services, the winners and runners-up will be honoured at the handover ceremony of the 20th South African Literary Awards (SALA) set to take place on November 11 2025 at the Roodepoort Theatre and Museum, 100 Christiaan de Wet Road, Florida Park, a highlight in South Africa’s literary calendar.

Preceding the SALA ceremony, the 13th Africa Century International African Writers Conference will be held on the same day, celebrating the 34th International African Writers’ Day and 31 years of South Africa’s freedom and democracy.

Founded in 2005 by the wRite associates, SALA is a vital platform for recognising the contributions of authors, translators, poets and other literary practitioners.

The department of sport, arts & culture plays a crucial role in supporting this initiative, demonstrating its commitment to promoting cultural and literary excellence.

“A big thank-you must go to the judging panel, from across all our country’s official languages and 16 literary categories, who have read, analysed and finally reached consensus on which authors’ work makes the cut,” said Morakabe Raks Seakhoa, managing director of the wRite associates and SALA’s founding executive director, highlighting the significance of this year’s event.

Seakhoa added, “SALA’s success reflects the dynamic and evolving literary scene in South Africa. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of exceptional writers who have made a significant impact.”

These are the SALA categories:

1. Children’s Literature Award
2. Youth Literature Award
3. First-Time Published Author Award
4. k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award
5. Poetry Award
6. Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award
7. Nadine Gordimer Short story Award
8. Literary Translators Award
9. Literary Journalism Award
10. Novel Award
11. National Poet Laureate Prize
12. Regional Poet Laureate Prize
13. Local Poet Laureate Prize
14. Lifetime Achievement Literary Award
15. Posthumous Literary Award
16. Chairperson’s Award

“SALA originated and was the first to introduce and infuse into the South African literary lexicon the institution of the South African National Poet Laureate Prize, among the many of the 16 categories in the stable of recognition of literary excellence and craft,” Seakhoa said.

The awards have previously recognised luminaries such as poets laureate Mazisi Kunene, Mongane Wally Serote and Keorapetse Kgositsile, as well as Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, Lauretta Ngcobo, Miriam Tlali, Barbara Masekela and many others across the various categories and 11 official languages.

2025 SOUTH AFRICAN LITERARY AWARDS SHORTLIST

Children’s Literature Award

1. Nkateko Emily Mabasa — Celebrating Our Differences: Embracing My Superpowers
2. Kabelo Duncan Kgatea — Petleke ya Malemelagotlhe
3. Phuti Seboni — Rakgolo Masoba
4. Upile uThixo Bongco — Big Shoes to Fill

First-Time Published Author Award

1. Lebogang Seale — One Hundred Years of Dispossession: My Family’s Quest to Reclaim Our Land
2. Happy Gladness Simelane — Thandeka
3. Lungile ka Dlamini — And Give Us This Day Our Daily Hope

Youth Literature Award

1. Kobate John Sekele — Sejamosela se fetetša noka
2. Seakgwe Phalatse — Menomasweu
3. Vusi Makhoba — Mhlawumbe Ngale Kwethuna
4. Tiah Marie Beautement — A Tale of Many Tangents

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

1. Lesedi Molefi — Patient 12A

Poetry Award

1. Frank Meintjies — A place to night in
2. Sizakele Nkosi — u-Grand, Malume?
3. Molebatsi Bosilong — Mosikaro
4. MH Hlaka — Tau Ahlama
5. Bafana Charles Peter — Umkhumezelo Umqulu 3
6. Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi — Ukufa Kwenono
7. Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi — Amagagasi Enjabulo
8. Mosima Phakane — Go Ribega tša Masa
9. Hlayiseka S Rikhotso — Nyika nkarhi, nkarhi
10. Vutshila Mission Magaisa — Vutshila bya vutlhokovetseri
11. Nombeko Nontshokweni — uNobuntu

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

1. Raphashe Abram Lesufi — Temošo Setšhabeng
2. Zaheera Jina Asvat — Tears of the Weaver
3. David Mann — Once Removed: Short Stories
4. Kwandile Hadebe — Ishumi

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

1. Maria Suriano — A Rare Gift To The Struggle: Ma Vesta Smith and The Everyday Politics of Liberation
2. Adekeye Adebajo — The Black Atlantic’s Triple Burden: Slavery, Colonialism, and Reparations

Literary Translators Award

1. Moses Seletisha — Ke Rata Punky
2. Sifiso Mzobe — Izinkabi: Yasho Inganono, Laphalala Igazi

Novel Award

1. Bulelani Matshoba — Akwaba Ndandingambonanga
2. Kobate John Sekele — Ditlhoka Tša Bagaditšong
3. Barbara Boswell — The Comrade’s Wife
4. Nick Clelland — Good Hope
5. Musa Aubrey Baloyi — Xilondza Xa Le Nhompfini
6. Mandlakayise Mfanta — Ing’iyayikhotha Kanti Iyayixathula